April 3, 2014

I'm a Writer but not just because Jeff Goins says so! - Five Minute Friday



I spent a good portion of my day today listening to Lisa-Jo read me her book, Surprised by Motherhood.  Yeah - it's not quite like it sounds! Oh I would love to have her across the table, sipping tea, reading chapter after chapter - in real life! Still - this feels oh so close to that!  It's making me thankful... grateful... longing for my girlie and my Mama - both of whom live feet and yards away and I am blessed and warmed... (as Lisa-Jo says in the book... "Love, like hot chocolate, can warm us from the inside.")

I'm joyfully worn out... but you know me and how I just can't stay away from a good Twitter party!  So - let's do this...

Oh but - first - the fine print: if you don't know what FMF is!  Five Minute Fridays are hosted by Lisa Jo Baker.  It is open to anyone, so to learn more about it - and to jump in yourself (the more the merrier!) or just to find a linky to see what everyone is writing about today - click HERE!  The idea is to simply write... for Five Minutes flat... no editing, no deep thinking - or at least REthinking, no spell check - just write! Let it flow! We all write using a prompt that Lisa posts at 10pm Thursday night (EST.)  I'm loving the community of amazing bloggers and the creativity that flows from these magical Five Minutes!

So - here goes: Five Minute Friday - The Word Prompt is: WRITER

{GO}


So, a year or so ago I came across the Writers Manifesto by Jeff Goins.  It's good... really good!  You should read it.  And then, you know, you should go and write!

It was not a new thought or a new revelation. God had been calling me to step into who He kept whispering me into being.  He kept telling me things about myself that were hard to believe except for, well - He's God and all.

So - reading the Manifesto was confirmation and fuel for the fires that burn when I try to not write.  I have journals and journals filled and piled up, spilling over... years of All The Thoughts and Feelings and Prayers and Praises.

I started this blog because He asked me to.  To give Him a year of Tuesdays and what happened in those years (yeah... whatever... I got spoiled and didn't want to quit!) was amazing and incredible and unlike any other time in my life... We had a standing date every Tuesday, God and I.  And that Guy - He knows how to show up big!  

That was way back in the day and I was pretty confident that no one was reading anything and that was fine with me.  This is my foundation - to know that I am writing for Him and Him alone.  After a couple of years, my writing was less consistent and my dates with Jesus got rescheduled.  They still happened, but the flow was gone and the call to write them all out seemed to lift. 

Then I came back to it, the writing and blogging and He was reminding me that all of my years, He has called me Writer.  It's in me.  It's part of who I am.  I write on a blog and in a journal and in cards and letters... I can't not write.  So the Manifesto was a hearty Amen.

He had whispered once again and asked me to simply just be consistent here.  So - that is where we are.  Consistently meeting here... filling up and pouring out and being real as I live my life out loud.  


I have had short seasons of being distracted with all those fancy key Bloggy words like Platform and Tribe and SEOs (I still don't even know) and pressure to be a 'real' blogger and head on over to Wordpress (not that there's anything wrong with that!) 

But until He fills me in on what is next... I write.  I sit here, and I wait... I listen and lean in and pray for you - yes, you - and I write what He begins to speak to my heart and I believe that what happens here is holy.  

This is my calling.  This is my ministry.
This is me.  I am a Writer.
(even if no one 'gets' it! Even if I don't get paid.)

{STOP}

... I have to remind myself that when I am simply making art with my life and doing what He has made me to do, there is no competition.  I don't need a following as much as I need to follow Him.  I rarely get caught up in the numbers (or lack there of) but that is because I no longer doubt who I am or what I am called to do.

I'm a Writer.  I am called to write.
I am called to: (say it with me now!)

Five Minute Fridays gives us the chance to dive right in and share what He puts on our hearts! Click here to read what others have to say about "WRITER"  









36 comments :

  1. Stopping by from FMF. Thank you for being obedient and writing. :)

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    1. First off... "harbor hope" = LOVE! Secondly, thanks so much for stopping by!

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  2. Hey friend - don't forget that lesson from the first night of the conference: we're not writers because we're published (or anything else), we're writers because we write! And you are. And you bless. Abundantly. I am so happy to call you friend and to know what it is like to have your support and encouragement. Yes - continue on with your calling as you pour out these words of light and truth in Christ's name. Amen!

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    1. Yes... I have been knowing this for some time now! It's always nice to have confirmation though! :) Love you so! (Praying for you as you write quietly - just for Him - this month!)

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  3. Anonymous9:54 PM

    Great words, Karrilee! I appreciate your example of obedience. It's hard to do something that others don't always understand or support or "get". The good thing is we just have to be obedient and let Him worry about all the rest! Jeff's piece sounds good - I'm gonna have to give that a read!

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    1. Holly - I am so thankful for you and the consistent way you encourage and lift up! And oh my stars, if you haven't read Jeff's Manifesto (You Are A Writer) - I HIGHLY recommend it! You will love it!

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  4. Anonymous4:46 AM

    "I can't not write"...so true! We just can't keep away, even if we are inconsistent or unsure of things. Beautiful post today! Thanks for lifting up my morning!!
    -Jen

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    1. Jen - It's true! Even if we are not writing on our blogs... we just can't not write something, somewhere! Love this #fmfparty community! Thanks so much for stopping by! Happy Friday, friend!

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  5. "I don't need a following as much as I need to follow Him"!!!! Amen! It's so easy to forget that in this little bloggy world where so much is about how to get that following. So glad I made my way back here and in your faithfulness there were words to read. Thank you!

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    1. I know, right? It was technically after the 5 minutes, but that may be my favorite line too! I honestly forget to worry about all of this stuff most of the time but it is a serious struggle in 'this little bloggy world' and I think we all need to be reminded of the truth of it! Love you so, sweet friend!

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  6. Beautiful!!! As I read, I realized this is me!:) I just didn't get it said in such a beautiful way! Silly FMF;) thank you for sharing!

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    1. Kaylene - Yay! I am so glad... in the beginning, Writer seems too lofty, too professional, too presumptious of a title to call ourselves! But try it on, walk in it, write with it beside you and you will find that it's not a title, as Lisa-Jo said in her post... it's who we are! (Now I am off to read your post!) Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  7. Anonymous8:29 AM

    Your comment, "even if no one else gets it" made me laugh because I have to keep writing even if I don't get it! So many writers have always love to write, they wrote in journals, loved writing assignments in school, just always had those words flowing from them. I was a visual artist growing up so discovering this new kind of art has been amazing. I'm so thankful for FMF and everyone here pouring encouragement into one another. I am with you on writing for an audience of One. He told me to write so I do. That sure is nice though when you find out the words He poured through you touched someone else's life. My love language is definitely words of affirmation so each sliver of encouragement means so much. Keep writing friend - He is using you.

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    1. Casey, while I have always loved to write, it took me many years to stand up tall and step into Writer! So glad you are standing tall beside me! Yes - we write for Him... and get the blessing and honor of sitting back and watching what He will do with the words He spilled out through us!

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  8. Ah, I love the part after the 'stop' sign--"I am simply making art with my life." YES! You are! I need to remind myself of all of these things you have said until they sink deep in my heart (I know them in my mind, but, oh , they take so long to sink into my heart). Thank you, friend!

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    1. Anita, yes - it takes time, and grace, and - really, mostly - writing! We are all making art with our lives, as Emily Freeman says, in a million little ways... standing beside you, friend... encouraging you to stand up tall in who you are! And part of that is Writer! Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. Sister, I needed this today. In a big way. I, too, began writing consistently with weekly dates -- Wednesdays just me and God. Sometimes I miss those days, before I worried about what other people thought (or didn't think) about my writing. It's like the more I know I'm called to write and the more I claim the title "writer," the harder it can be. I'm trying to remind myself, day by day, minute by minute, that I am looking, like Sarah Bessey prayed, for Jesus "in beautiful obscurity." Yes, that it would be so on the low number, no comment kinda days. I love you and am so glad you write your life out loud. You're so beautiful.

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    1. Ash... I am so thankful for you - that we are in this together... writing for Him, standing up strong in the call and the gift to write. I love that we both started the same way - with the same intention... and oh how I miss those days too! In other news... I am talking with Alia and we are trying to plan a get together in June maybe... talking of possibly Portland as a meeting place... or Bend... but Portland would be halfway for each of us and get us out of our normal routine! Are you in? Like a writing wknd or over nighter? Maybe we can plan to (just) attend a poetry slam or something? FUN, right? Love you so!

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  10. Dates with God - yes, you write it exactly - everytime I write, it's like a conversation with God. I had so many years of people telling me, "Who says you're a writer? You're wrong)" - that I cannot say that about myself - but I do - and maybe that speaks louder. In my welcome, I describe many of my "I am's" - but I don't say writer - I didn't realize that until now. So glad you shared your writing journey - and boldly proclaimed YOU are a writer! Mighty fine message!

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    1. Yes... I think just maybe you need to add Writer to your list of "I am's"... (No maybe about it!) Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  11. Even if I don't get paid- ah yes was just thinking about this today. I invest so much of me in my blog and writing without monetary return- some may call that foolish but I call it extravagant- a dim reflection of the extravagant love He freely gives. Thank you for this post, these reminder

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    1. Oh Katie - so much Amen! I am planning an impromptu Girls GetAway with a couple of local friends... they don't really 'get' what I do - and they really don't understand how it takes up so much of my time when I am not getting paid for it! They are all working full time now and I am the last of the SAHM that is still staying at home... thus - my budget is not matching theirs... but I know that this is what I am called to and I love how you said it... "a dim reflection of the extravagant love He freely gives." Yes - this! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  12. Nikki Tindall10:47 AM

    Lovely post, Karrilee. So much of what you wrote resonates with me and where I am when it comes to writing. The "Write to your Critic" assignment from the (In)Couragers writing group (Which I wrote but never published :-/ ) helped me become content with the reason for my blogging/writing. Which is similar to what you say in this post. It's freeing to be ok with not thinking about the numbers game when it comes to blogging/writing. Have a great weekend! Blessings!

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    1. Nikki, it is hard work to ignore the pull of comparison and building an audience... and I am sure that there is a time and a season when God calls some to do that and they are completely in His will doing it... but until then, I wait and I write and I offer this space up to Him first... and am grateful for whomever He leads over to my little corner of the interwebs!

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  13. Anonymous10:56 AM

    "I don't need a following as much as I need to follow Him"!! As I struggle with comparison I needed this reminder. Thank you for always being obedient and point to Christ in all that you write.

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    1. Amy - I love you so! That is all! (Oh - and that cheater line - the one you quoted that came after the 5 minutes? Yeah - it's my favorite one too - because I need that reminder as well!)

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  14. Oh, Karrilee! I love this and I love you. So much! What a blessing to read your words and to see you living your life out loud. Love, love, love!!! I can't wait to see what God does through you, because when hearts are completely His, He does do amazing things.

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  15. This is a beautiful post, Karrillee. Thank you for sharing from your heart and not giving up. This IS your calling and your ministry. And I feel it’s mine, also, and it is hard to say out loud that I consider myself a “writer,” but I feel like God is saying that. And He’s saying that of you, too. Look forward to watching you continue to blossom under His guidance. :D Fellow FMF Friend

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    1. Meredith, so glad you stopped by! I love that you are seeing that this is your calling as well! Step into with me, we can both stand up tall in who He made us to be! (And don't you just LOVE this FMF Community?)

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  16. Hi Karrilee!! I am new here to your place. I LOVE this post! So encouraging in many ways. Thanks for pouring out! I will be back to visit and looking forward to getting to know you. Visiting from FMF. :)

    BLessings,
    Rebecca

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    1. Rebecca - thank you so much for all of your sweet words - both here, and on Twitter! Can't wait to have you back and get to know you too! (Off to find your fmf post!)

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  17. Hey Karrilee...so happy you.didnt.STOP. This right here "I have to remind myself that.when I am making art with my life and doing what He has made me to do...there is ni competition. I don't need a following as much as I need to follow Him. I rarely get caught up in the numbers (or lack therof) but that is because I no longer doubt who I am or what I am called to do." The.work itself is beautiful. The.commitment and devotiin necessary to.chronicle the daily grin of grace. That's what its all about. Beautiful testimony. keep writing. .

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    1. Lisha, how I love it when you stop by! Happy Blogiversay my friend! I too am so glad that YOU didn't stop, that you started and just keep on pouring out and showing up and writing real life! And aaahh - the daily grin of grace! Gorgeous!

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  18. Yes, girlie, you ARE a writer! I loved this little line "He has called me Writer." How beautiful to find our purpose in Him, and to be called by Him into our purpose. Your writing blesses me each time I stop by. I'm so thankful for your blog, for YOU! Blessings to you, friend!

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    1. Chandra, you bless me every time you stop by here, friend! You just can't know the perfect timing of your sweet encouragement, every time! One day - in real life, my friend! Coffee and heart to heart talking and laughing and (most likely) chocolate eating will ensue!

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Thanks so much for stopping by! I always love to hear your thoughts! Remember to: Speak Life - Be Love - Shine On!
~Karrilee~

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